Stable extended release oral dosage composition

ABSTRACT

A film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition containing a nasal decongestant, pseudoephedrine or salt thereof, e.g., pseudoephedrine sulfate in a core effective to provide a geometric maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine of about 345 ng/mL to about 365 ng/mL at a time of about 7.60 hrs to about 8.40 hrs and having two or three film-coatings on the core, the second one containing an amount of the non-sedating antihistamine, desloratadine, effective to provide a geometric maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.15 ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about 4.5 hours, and use of the composition for treating patients showing the signs and symptoms associated with allergic and/or inflammatory conditions of the skin and airway passages are disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition containing a nasal decongestant, e.g., pseudoephedrine in a controlled release core and a film outer coating containing the non-sedating antihistamine, desloratadine. The solid oral dosage compositions of this invention are useful for treating patients showing the signs and symptoms associated with allergic and/or inflammatory conditions such as the common cold, as well as signs and symptoms associated with allergic and/or inflammatory conditions of the skin or upper and lower airway passages such as allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion. upper respiratory diseases, allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion.

Desloratadine, also called descarbethoxyloratadine, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,716 as a non-sedating antihistamine useful as an anti-allergy agent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,274 discloses compositions containing desloratadine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,997 discloses methods and compositions for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms using desloratadine. Desloratadine, upon oral absorption, is hydroxylated at the 3 position to produce the metabolite, 3-hydroxyldesloratadine.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,990,535 and 5,100,675 disclose a twice-a-day sustained release coated tablet wherein the tablet coating comprises descarbethoxyloratadine and a hydrophilic polymer and polyethylene glycol, and the tablet core comprises acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine or a salt thereof, a swellable hydrophilic polymer and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,697 discloses an extended release tablet containing matrix core comprising pseudoephedrine sulfate and a coating comprising loratadine.

None of the prior art discloses the once-a-day film-coated solid oral dosage composition of this invention.

The successful development of a formulation of a desloratadine-pseudoephedrine once-a-day product would be desirable, but would require achieving a release rate profile for pseudoephedrine component over an extended period in excess of twelve hours and preferably at least 16 hours while maintaining delivery of an effective once a day dose of desloratadine.

It would be desirable for increased patient compliance to have an extended release desloratadine-pseudoephedrine product effective and safe when used on a once-a-day basis for the treatment, management and/or mitigation of the signs and symptoms associated with the common cold, as well as allergic and/or inflammatory conditions of the skin or upper and lower airway passages such as seasonal, allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have discovered a desloratadine-pseudoephedrine once-a-day product which produces a release rate profile for pseudoephedrine over an extended period in excess of twelve hours and preferably at least 16 hours while maintaining delivery of an effective once a day dose of desloratadine.

Thus, the present invention provides film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising an effective amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) a film coating uniformly covering the core and comprising an effective amount of desloratadine wherein the amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine of about 345 ng/mL to about 365 ng/mL at a time of about 7.60 hrs to about 8.40 hrs and the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.10 ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about 4.5 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxydesloratadine of about 0.75 ng/mL to about 1.15 ng/mL at a time of about 5.50 hours to about 6.25 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition.

More preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.10 ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about 4.5 hours and a geometric maximum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxydesloratadine of about 0.75 ng/mL to about 1.15 ng/mL at a time of about 5.50 hours to about 6.25 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, this invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising therapeutically effective amount of pseudoephedrine sulfate in a core and an effective amount of desloratadine in a film coating maintaining the desirable pharmacokinetic parameters of desloratadine, 3-hydroxydesloratadine and pseudoephedrine listed herein above.

This invention also provides a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising about 240 mg of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) a film coating uniformly covering the core and comprising about 5 mg of desloratadine wherein total desloratadine degration products in the film-coated extended release oral dosage composition is less than or equal to about 2.0 weight percent. Preferably, total desloratadine degradation products in the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition is less than or equal to 1.0 to about 1.5 weight percent, and more preferably is less than or equal to 0.8 to about 1.0 weight percent, after storage of the compositions at 25 C and 60% relative humidity for at least about 24 months.

The major desloratadine degradation products in the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition are (1) N-methyl-desloratadine, and (2) N-formyldesloratadine. See Chart.

This invention also provides a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising about 240 of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) a first film coating uniformly covering the core; and (c) a second film coating uniformly covering the first coating comprising about 5 mg of desloratadine; wherein more than about 90% of the desloratadine in solid oral dosage composition dissolves into a stirred 0.1N HCl solution at 37° C. in about 45 minutes, and more than about 90% of the pseudoephedrine sulfate in solid oral dosage composition dissolves into a stirred 0.1N HCl solution at 37° C. (1^(st) hour) and thereafter in a stirred phosphate buffer having a pH of 7.5 at 37° C. over 16 hours.

This invention also provides a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising an effective amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) a film coating uniformly covering the core and comprising an effective amount of desloratadine wherein the amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine of about 382 ng/mL to about 664 ng/mL at a time of about 5.25 hrs to about 7.99 hrs after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days. and the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about about 1.59 ng/mL to about 3.39 ng/mL at a time of about about 2.24 hours to about 5.12 hours after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine is about 418 ng/mL to about 628 ng/mL at a time of about 5.32 hrs to about 7.98 hrs after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days. and the geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine is about about 1.95 ng/mL to about 2.93 ng/mL at a time of about 2.94 hours to about 4.42 hours after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxy-desloratadine of about 1.25 ng/mL to about 1.87 ng/mL at a time of about 3.44 hours to about 5.86 hours and a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0–24 hours for 3-hydroxy-desloratadine was about 20.3 ng hr/mL to about 3.11 ng hr/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for desloratadine was about 23.0 ng hr/mL to about 46.6 ng hr/mL.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for desloratadine was about 27.8 ng hr/mL to about 41.8 ng hr/mL.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for pseudo-ephedrine was about 6244 ng hr/mL to about 11346 ng hr/mL.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for pseudoephedrine was about 7030 ng hr/mL to about 10554 ng hr/mL.

The present invention also provides a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising an effective amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) a film coating uniformly covering the core and comprising an effective amount of desloratadine, wherein the amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine of about 82 ng/mL to about 243 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days and the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 0.307 ng/mL to about 1.095 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine is about 129 ng/mL to about 193 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days and the geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of desloratadine is about 0.624 ng/mL to about 0.946 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxy-desloratadine of about 0.503 ng/mL to about 0.875 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.

Preferred embodiments of the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of the present invention also produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxy-desloratadine of about 0.551 ng/mL to about 0.827 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days

We have also discovered that by placing a first coating between film-coating comprising desloratadine and the core comprising a nasal decongestant, e.g., pseudoephedrine salt, preferably pseudoephedrine sulfate, provides release of desloratadine from the second film-coating and extended release of the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine sulfate from the core, preferably a matrix core, over a period in excess of twelve hours while maintaining the desirable pharmacokinetic parameters of desloratadine, 3-hydroxydesloratadine and pseudoephedrine listed herein above and wherein the total desloratadine degradation products produced is less than or equal 2.0 weight percent, preferably is less than or equal 1.0 to about 1.5 weight percent, and more preferably is less than or equal to 0.8 to about 1.0 weight percent, after storage of the compositions at 25 C and 60% relative humidity for at least about 24 months.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising:

-   (a). a matrix core comprising:     -   1. an extended release amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable         decongestant;     -   2. a polymer matrix;     -   3. a water insoluble basic calcium, magnesium or aluminum salt;     -   4. a binder;     -   5. a lubricant; and optionally,     -   6. a glidant; -   (b) a first film coating uniformly covering the matrix core     comprising;     -   1. a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic         copolymeric ester;     -   2. a lubricant;     -   3. a film-modifier; and     -   4. optionally, an anti-foaming agent; -   (c) a second film coating uniformly covering the first coating,     comprising:     -   1. an immediate release amount of desloratadine;     -   2. a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic         copolymeric ester;     -   3. a lubricant;     -   4. a water soluble film-modifier; and optionally,     -   5. an anti-foaming agent;

The film-coated extended release solid oral dosage compositions of the present invention release at least about 80%, and preferably at least about 90% of the desloratadine into a 0.1N HCl solution at 37° C. within about 45 minutes and at least about 50% of the pseudoephedrine sulfate dissolves into a stirred 0.1N HCl solution at 37° C. (1^(st) hour) and thereafter in a stirred phosphate buffer having a pH of 7.5 at 37° C. in 5 hours. and at least about 80% of the pseudoephedrine sulfate dissolves into the stirred solution in 10 hours and at least about 93% of the pseudoephedrine sulfate dissolves into the stirred solution in 16 hours.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising:

-   (a) a matrix core comprising:

Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate about 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 100,000 cps. about 160–480 Ethylcellulose about 40–120 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Dihydrate about 56–162 Povidone about 20–60 Silicon Dioxide about 6–12 Magnesium Stearate about 2–6 Approximate Matrix Core Weigh Range: about 518–1082 mg

-    and -   (b) a first film coating uniformly covering the matrix core     comprising:     -   (1) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate;     -   (2) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon dioxide and         magnesium stearate;     -   (3) a polyethylene glycol selected form polyethylene glycol 200         to polyethylene glycol 8000; and     -   (4) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of         homologous liquid methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel; and -   (c) a second film coating uniformly coating the first coating,     comprising:     -   (1) an amount of desloratadine effective to produce a geometric         maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.10         ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about         4.5 hours after administration of a single dose of said         composition;     -   (2) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate;     -   (3) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon dioxide and         magnesium stearate;     -   (4) a polyethylene glycol selected from polyethylene glycol 200         to polyethylene glycol 8000; and optionally     -   (5) a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of homologous liquid         methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel.

The above-listed preferred film-coated extended solid oral dosage composition may further comprise a third film coating uniformly covering the second film coating, wherein the third film coating comprises:

-   -   (1) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate;     -   (2) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon dioxide and         magnesium stearate;     -   (3) an effective amount of at least one a water-soluble         film-modifying agent selected from low viscosity hydroxypropyl         cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and sodium         carboxymethyl cellulose, and a polyethylene glycol selected from         polyethylene glycol 200 to polyethylene glycol 8000 or mixtures         thereof;     -   (4) a pharmaceutically acceptable dye; and     -   (5) optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of         homologous liquid methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising:

(a) a matrix core comprising: Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate about 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 about 160–480 100,000 cps. Ethylcellulose about 40–120 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Dihydrate about 54–162 Povidone about 20–60 Silicon Dioxide about 6–12 Magnesium Stearate about 2–6 Approximate (Matrix Core) Weight about 518–1082 mg Range: (b) a first film coating uniform by covering the matrix core comprising: Ingredient mg/first coating (d) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate about 1.36–about 4.08 and methyl acrylate having an average molecular weight of 800,000; (2) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon about 1.36–about 4.08 dioxide and magnesium stearate; (3) a polyethylene glycol selected from a about 0.136–about 0.408 polyethylene glycol 6000 to a polyethylene glycol 8000 and (4) optionally, a pharmaceutically about 0.11–about 0.33 acceptable mixture of homologous liquid methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel; Total for first film coating: about 2.96–8.89 mg and (c) a second film coating uniformly coating the first coating, said second film comprising: Ingredient mg/second film coating (1) a 24-hour amount of desloratadine; about 5.0–about 6.0 (2) a neutral copolymer of ethyl about 3.04–about 9.12 acrylate and methyl acrylate having an average molecular weight of 800,000; (3) a lubricant selected from talc, about 3.5–about 10.5 silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate; (4) a polyethylene glycol selected from about 0.915–about 2.75 a polyethylene glycol 6000 to a polyethylene glycol 8000; and (5) optionally, a pharmaceutically about 0.14–about 042 acceptable mixture of homologous liquid methyl silsoxane polymers and silica gel; Total for second coating: about 12.60–about 38.79 mg In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a film-coated extended release oral dosage composition comprising:

(a) a matrix core comprising:

Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate about 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 about 160–480 100,000 cps. Ethylcellulose about 40–120 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate about 56–162 Povidone about 20–60 Silicon Dioxide; and about 6–12 Magnesium Stearate about 2–6 Approximate Matrix Core Weight Range: about 518–1082 mg

(b) a first film coating uniform by covering the matrix core comprising:

(1) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate having molecular weight of 800,000;

(2) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate;

(3) a polyethylene glycol selected from a polyethylene glycol 200 to polyethylene glycol 8000; and

(4) optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of homologous liquid methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel; and

(c) a second film coating uniformly covering the first coating comprising:

-   -   (1) an amount of desloratadine effective to produce a geometric         maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.10         ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about         4.5 hours after administration of a single dose of said         composition;     -   (2) a netural copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate         having an average molecular weight of 800,000;     -   (3) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon dioxide and         magnesium stearate;     -   (4) a polyethylene glycol selected from a polyethylene glycol         200 to a-polyethylene 8000; and     -   (5) optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of homogous         liquid methyl siloxane and polymers and silica gel.

A more preferred composition of the present invention is provided herein below:

1. Matrix Core Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 USP 320 100,000 cps Ethylcellulose NF Type 7 80 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate USP Dihydrate 108 Povidone USP 40 Silicon Dioxide NF 8 Magnesium Stearate NF 4 Approximate Matrix Core Weight: 800 mg 1. Matrix Core Coatings 1. First Film Coating: Ingredient mg/tablet Simethicone 0.22 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.27 Talc NF 2.72 Ethyl Acrytalc/Methyl Methacrylate neutral copolymer 2.72 (30% dispersion in water) Subtotal for first coating 5.93 mg 2. Second Film (Immediate Release) Coating mg/tablet Desloratadine 6.0 Simethicone 0.28 Polyethylene glycol 8000 1.83 Talc NF 5.88 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl methacrylate neutral copolymer 6.09 Subtotal for second coating 20.08 mg 3. Third Film Coating mg/tablet Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 2.09 Talc NF 5.79 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate Neutral 4.18 copolymer Polyethylene Glycol 8000 NF 0.42 Simethicone 0.11 Spectra Spray Med Blue Dye 3.65 Subtotal for third coating: 16.24 mg Approximate Total of Three Coatings Weight: 42.37 mg Approximate Tablet (MatrixCore and Three Coatings) 842.97 mg Weight:

Another more preferred composition of the present invention is provided herein below:

1. Matrix Core Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 USP 320 100,000 cps Ethylcellulose NF Type 7 80 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate USP Dihydrate 108 Povidone USP 40 Silicon Dioxide NF 8 Magnesium Stearate NF 4 Approximate Matrix Core Weight: 800 mg 2. Matrix Core Coatings 1. First Film Coating: Ingredient mg/tablet Simethicone 0.22 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.27 Talc NF 2.72 Ethyl Acrytalc/Methyl Methacrylate neutral copolymer 2.72 (30% dispersion in water) Subtotal for first coating: 5.93 mg 2. Second Film (Immediate Release) Coating mg/tablet Desloratadine 5.0 Simethicone 0.28 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.61 Talc NF 5.17 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl methacrylate neutral copolymer 6.09 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 3.05 Subtotal for second coating: 20.20 mg 3. Third Film Coating mg/tablet Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 2.09 Talc NF 5.79 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate Neutral 4.18 copolymer Polyethylene Glycol 8000 NF 0.42 Simethicone 0.11 Spectra Spray Med Blue Dye 3.65 Subtotal for third coating 16.24 mg Approximate Total of Three Coatings Weight: 42.37 mg Approximate Tablet (MatrixCore & Three Coatings) 842.37 mg Weight:

Similar results would be expected if a decongestant effective amount of another pharmaceutically acceptable pseudoephedrine salt, e.g., pseudo-ephedrine hydrogen chloride was used in place of pseudoephedrine sulfate.

The compositions of the present invention are useful for treatment of allergic and/or inflammatory conditions of the skin (e.g. urticaria) and the upper and lower airway passages including the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis including nasal congestion in patients in need of such treating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

During the course of development of the compositions of the present invention, desloratadine was found to be unstable and to discolor when stored in combination with various excipients such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,697 as part of the matrix core containing pseudoephedrine sulfate. The excipients causing discoloration and instability of desloratadine include acidic excipients having a pH of less than 7 in water such as organic acids, such as stearic acid, povidone, crospovidone and carbonyl-containing materials such as lactose, and ethyl cellulose and hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose. Binders like povidone and polymers such as hydroxypropymethylcellulose are useful as a polymer matrix for the sustained release of the pseudoephedrine sulfate from the inner polymer matrix core.

We discovered that by uniformly covering the inner core matrix containing a nasal decongestant, e.g., pseudoephedrine sulfate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose and povidone with a first coating comprising a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester, a film modifier and lubricant, the desloratadine could safely be coated onto the first coating. The desloratadine was found to have an acceptable immediate release profile from the second coating (about 80%, and preferably at least about 90% of the desloratadine is released in 0.1N HCl in less than about 45 min.) and total desloratadine degradation products in the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition is less than or equal to 1.0 to about 1.5 weight percent, and more preferably is less than or equal to 0.8 to about 1.0 weight percent, after storage for at least 24 months at 25° C. and about 60% relative humidity (“RH”).

When a third film coating comprising a water swellable film-forming neutral or cationic co-polymeric ester and polyethylene glycol as a film modifier was placed on top of the second coating, the dissolution rate of desloratadine from the second coating and pseudoephedrine from the core decreased to unacceptably low levels.

Surprisingly, addition of a low viscosity hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose to the third coating as a film-modifier, restored the dissolution rates of both active ingredients (pseudoephedrine sulfate and desloratadine) to levels approximately the same as those obtained when a core matrix was uniformly covered with two film coatings.

The phrase “allergic and inflammatory conditions of the skin and airway passages” is meant those allergic and inflammatory conditions and symptoms found on the skin and in the upper and lower airway passages from the nose to the lungs. Typical allergic and inflammatory conditions of the skin and upper and lower airway passages include seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, asthma including allergic and non-allergic asthma, sinusitis, colds (in combination with a NSAID, e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and/or a decongestant e.g. pseudoephedrine), dermatitis, especially allergic and atopic dermatitis, and urticaria and symptomatic dermographism as well as retinophathy, and small vessel diseases, associated with diabetes mellitus.

The amount of desloratadine effective for treating or preventing allergic and inflammatory conditions of the skin and upper and lower airway passages will vary with the age, sex, body weight and severity of the allergic and inflammatory condition of the patient. Typically, the amount of desloratadine effective for treating or preventing such allergic and inflammatory conditions is in the range of about 2.5 mg/day to about 60 mg/day, preferably about 2.5 mg/day to about 20 mg/day, or about 4.0 mg/day to about 15 mg/day, or about 5.0 mg/day to about 10 mg/day, more preferably about 5.0 mg/day to about 10.0 mg/day, and most preferably about 5.0 mg/day to about 6.0 mg/day in a single dose.

Desloratadine is a non-sedating long acting histamine antagonist with potent selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonist activity. Following oral administration, loratadine is rapidly metabolized to descarboethoxyloratadie or desloratadine, a pharmacologically active metabolite. In vitro and in vivo animal pharmacology studies have been conducted to assess various pharmacodynamic effects of desloratadine and loratadine. In assessing antihistamine activity in mice (comparison of ED₅₀ value), desloratadine was relatively free of producing alterations in behavior alterations in behavior, neurologic or autonomic function. The potential for desloratadine or loratadine to occupy brain H1-receptors was assessed in guinea pigs following i.p. administration and results suggest poor access to central histamine receptors for desloratadine or loratadine.

In addition to antihistaminic activity, desloratadine has demonstrated anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activity from numerous in vitro and in vivo tests. These in vitro tests (mainly conducted on cells of human origin) have shown that desloratadine can inhibit many events in the cascade of allergic inflammation. These anti-inflammatory effects for desloratadine are independent of the H1-antagonist effect of desloratadine and include: The release of inflammatory mediators histamine, truptase, leukotriene and prostaglandin D2 from mast cells;

The release of inflammatory cytokines including IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-13; The release of the inflammatory chemokines such as RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted); Superoxide anion production of polymorphonuclear neutrophils; The expression of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) and P-selection in endothelial cells; and Eosinophil migration and adhesion. In vivo studies also suggest that an inhibitory effect of desloratadine on allergic bronchospasm and cough can also be expected.

The clinical efficacy and safety of desloratadine has been documented in over 3,200 seasonal allergic rhinitis patients in 4 double-blind, randomized clinical trials The results of these chemical studies demonstrated the efficacy of desloratadine in the treatment of adult and adolescent patients with seasonal rhinitis.

The nasal decongestants useful in the present invention include phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine and and pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine as well as pharmaceutically acceptable acid additional salts, e.g., those of HCl or H₂SO₄, is a sympathomimetic drug recognized by those skilled in the art as a safe therapeutic agent effective for treating nasal congestion and is commonly administered orally and concomitantly with an antihistamine for treatment of nasal congestion associated with allergic rhinitis. The use of pseudoephedrine as a nasal decongestant in the present invention is preferred; the use of pseudoephedrine sulfate is more preferred.

In the course of development of the oral dosage composition of this invention, it was discovered that the selection of the polymers for the polymer matrix core was critical to achieve the desired extended release period of at least 12 hours, preferably 12 to 16 hours and more preferably for at least 16 hours for pseudoephedrine sulfate. For example, the use of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose 4,000 cps or 15,000 cps as polymers in the matrix core did not provide this more preferred extended release period of at least 16 hours for dose of pseudoephedrine sulfate. We discovered that only by selecting for inclusion into the matrix core of specific weight ratios of three specific polymers was the desired pseudoephedrine release profile achieved. Only by combining (1) four parts by weight of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose 2208 USP, 100,000 cps with (2) one part by weight of ethyl cellulose together with (3) ½ part by weight of povidone as a secondary binder was the more preferred extended release profile of at least 16 hours for pseudoephedrine sulfate from the matrix core achieved. The matrix core also contains specific amounts of silicon dioxide as a glidant and magnesium stearate as a lubricant. The tablet hardness 22±6 Strong-Cobb Units (SCU) is not greatly affected by the higher level of lubricant (6 mg/tablet) but it is preferred to maintain the lubricant level at 1/10 part by weight of lubricant to one part by weight of povidone as secondary binder.

The term “lubricant” as used herein refers to a substance added to the dosage form to enable the dosage form, e.g., a tablet, after it has been compressed to releases from the mold or die.

Suitable lubricants include talc, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, hydrogenated vegetable oils and the like. Preferably, magnesium stearate or talc is used.

The term “glidants” as used herein refers to a substance, such as an anti-caking agent, which improves the flow characteristics of a powder mixture.

Suitable glidants include silicon dioxide and talc. Preferably, silicon dioxide is used.

The term “binders” as used herein means any material that is added to pharmaceutical compositions to help hold such compositions together and release the medicament therefrom.

Suitable binders are selected from the group consisting of: croscarmellose sodium, a cross-linked polymer of carboxymethylcellulose sodium, povidone, crospovidone, starches, celluloses, alginates, and gums; see also USP XXII page 1858 (1990). Preferably, povidone is used.

Typically suitable antifoaming agents include mixtures of homologous liquid methylsiloxane and silica gel available under the Simethecone tradename.

The term “water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester,” as used herein means neutral and cationic copolymers of ethyl acrylate and substituted unsubstituted methyl or ethyl methacrylate esters.

Typically suitable water swellable film-forming neutral copolymeric esters include neutral copolymers of ethyl acrylate and methyl metharylate such as are available from Pharma Poloymers, a company of the Hüls Group under the EUDRAGIT® Tradename; EUDRAGIT NE30D. and Kollicoat available from BASF, Mt Olive, N.J. An aqueous dispersion containing 30% by weight of a neutral copolymer based on ethyl crylate and methyl methoacrylate (average molecular weight of approximately 800,000) is preferred.

Typically suitable water-swellable film-forming cationic co-polymeric esters include cationic co-polymerers based on dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and a neutral methacrylic ester such as the EUDRAGIT E copolymers available from Pharma Polymers as a 12.5% solution (EUDRAGIT E 12.5) or as solid (EUDRAGIT E 100) and quaternay ammonium copolymers described in USP/NF as “Amononio methacrylate copolymer, Type A” and Type “B”. Such copolymers are available as aqueous dispersions of copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters with a low (substitution) content of quaternary ammonium groups present as salts, (e.g., quaternary ammonium chlorides). Type A and Type B are available as 30% aqueous dispersions under the EUDRAGIT RL 30D and EUDRAGIT RS 30D tradenames, respectively. Use of the water-swellable film—from neutral co-polymeric esters based on ethyl acrylate and methacrylate is preferred.

The term “water soluble film modifier” as used herein means a film-forming agent which modifies the water-swellable characteristics of the film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric esters useful in the compositions of the present invention. A typically suitable water soluble film-modifying agent is a low viscosity (≦20 cps) cellulose such as low viscosity hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, low viscosity hydroxylethyl methyl cellulose; low viscosity sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or a polyethylene glycol selected from polyethylene glycol 200 to polyethylene glycol 8000.

Use of a polyethylene glycol 6000 to polyethylene glycol 8000 as a film modifier is preferred in the first and second coatings; the use of polyethylene glycol 8000 in each coating is more preferred.

Use of polyethylene glycol in combination with a low viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the third coating is preferred. Use of a mixture of polyethylene glycol 8000 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2910 cps in the third or outermost film coating is more preferred.

The term “water insoluble basic calcium, magnesium and aluminium salts” as used herein means the pharmaceutically acceptable carbonates, phosphates, silicates and sulfates of calcium, magnesium and aluminum or mixtures thereof. Typically suitable pharmaceutically acceptable basic salts include calcium sulfate anhydrous, hydrates of calcium sulfate, such as calcium sulfate dihydrate, magnesium sulfate anhydrous, hydrates of magnesium sulfate, dibasic calcium phosphate, dibasic calcium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium phosphate, aluminum silicate, and hydrates of magnesium phosphate, aluminum phosphate; and calcium phosphate is more preferred. The use of dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate is most preferred.

The hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose 2910 acts as a film-forming agent in the film coating, and the polyethylene glycols act as film modifier. Other suitable film-forming polymers which may be used include low viscosity (720 cps) hydroxypropyl celluloses, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

The oral dosage composition of this invention also provides a shelf life of more than 24 months, e.g., up to 36 and 48 months so long as the tablets are stored in standard package at between 2° and 30° C. in an ambient environment of 60% relative humidity.

In the preparation of the tablet core, the povidone is dissolved in a mixture of alcohol and water. The pseudoephedrine sulfate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2208 USP, 100,000 cps, ethylcellulose, and dibasic calcium phosphate are blended and granulated with an alcoholic water solution containing povidone. The granulation is milled, and dried to a loss on drying between 0.5 to 2.0%.

The dried granulation is milled and blended with requisite amounts of silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate. The final blend is compressed to produce the inner polymer matrix core composition.

The coatings are normally applied to the inner polymer matrix cores in the following manner:

Cores are charged into a suitable coating pan. A water dispersion of talc, Simethicone, polyethylene glycol 8000 and EUDRAGIT NE30D is applied to the matrix cores as a first coating. These coated matrix cores are then coated with a dispersion of desloratadine, Simethicone, EUDRAGIT NE 30D, polyethylene glycol 8000 NF and talc dispersion. This is followed by an application of third coating containing a dispersion of FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum lake containing EDTA as a chelating agent, talc, Simethicone, EUDRAGIT NE30D, containing hydroxy-propyl methylcellulose 2910 cps. and polyethylene glycol 8000 NF. The coated tablets are then branded (with black ink) and packaged in plastic bottles and blisters for storage at a temperature between 2° C. and 30° C. in an ambient environment

During the course of development of the formulations of the present invention, we discovered that the in vitro dissolution studies showed a decrease in both the desloratadine release rate and in desloratadine concentration at increased pH, especially pH values>7.0, compared to those for a 5 mg tablet of desloratadine. The in vivo studies showed the Tmax was greater than 4 hours and that a significant part of the absorptive desloratadine process occurs in the small intestine which has an alkaline pH (pH values>7.0).

We discovered we could increase the release of desloratadine by increasing the level of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and lowering the levels of the plasticizing agent, e.g., polyethylene glycol 8000, and of the lubricant, e.g., talc, in the second film coating containing desloratadine. See Example 4.

In another preferred embodiment, the effective amount of desloratadine in the second film coating was increased to 6.0 mg and amount of talc was reduced (by about 1.12 mg) to produce an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. See Example 3 and Table 3.

For the solid oral dosage formulations of the present invention, the geometric mean maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine (PES) is about 345 ng/mL to about 365 ng/mL at a time (Tmax) of about 7.60 hours to about 8.40 hours; the geometric mean maximum plasma concentrate of desloratadine (DL) is about 2.10 ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL, preferably 2.15 ng/mL to about 2.35 ng/mL at a time (Tmax), of about 4.0 hours to about 4.5 hours and the geometric mean maximum plasma concentrate of 3-hydroxydesloratadine (3-OH-DL) is about 0.75 ng/mL to about 1.15 ng/mL, preferably about 0.85 ng/mL to about 1.05 ng/mL, and more preferably preferably about 0.88 ng/mL to about 1.02 ng/mL at a time (Tmax) of about 5.50 hours to about 6.25 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition to healthy subjects.

Pharmacokinetic Study No. 1

The pharmacokinetic objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability and bioequivalence of desloratadine (DL), 3-OH DL and pseudoephedrine(PES) from the formulation of Example 2 (5 mg of DL/240 mg of PES) of this application relative to that of a 5 mg of Example 11 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,274 (U.S. Pat. No. '274) and an extended-release pseudoephedrine core as references. This study was a Phase I, open-label, single-dose, randomized, three-way crossover study with a seven-day washout period between each treatment. Thirty-six healthy male and female subjects received each of the following treatments in the order assigned by a computer-generated random code:

Treatment A: One 5 mg DL/240 mg PES tablet of Example 2. Treatment B: One DL 5 mg tablet of Example 11 of USP.′274. Treatment C: One 240 mg pseudoephedrine sulphate (oval extended- release pseudoephedrine cores from Claritin ® D-24 coated with placebo Claritin ® D-24 coat).

The tablets were administered with 180 mL (6 fluid ounces) of non-carbonated room temperature water. The tablet was swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed. After dosing, the oral cavity was inspected to assure that the subject had swallowed the tablet. Subjects continued fasting until the four-hour study procedures were complete. Water was permitted throughout the fasting period, except for two hours post-dose. The subjects remained awake and seated upright/ambulatory for four hours post-dose. All subjects were confined to the study site until the 120-hour blood samples, vital signs and laboratory tests were obtained.

Serial blood samples (10 mL) were to be collected into tubes containing heparin as an anticoagulant at the following time points: 0 (pre-dose), 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours post-dose. No food was allowed for four hours after dosing. Drinking water was not allowed from one hour pre-dose to one hour postdose, except for the 120 mL administered with the treatment. Plasma concentrations of pseudoephedrine were determined using a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method with a lower limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 10.0 ng/mL, and a linear range of 10.0–400 ng/mL. The associated mean pharmacokinetic parameters are provided in Table 1.

The mean DL Cmax following administration of DL tablet of Example 2 of the present invention or a 5 mg desloratadine tablet of Example 11 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,274 were 1.79 and 2.23 ng/mL, respectively, and were reached at mean Tmax values of 6.78 and 5.10 hours, respectively.

TABLE 1 Mean (% CV^(a)) Pharmacokinetic Parameters of DL, and 3-OH DL in Healthy Subjects Following Single-Dose Oral Administration of DL D-24 and DL DL Example 2- Example 11 of 5 mg/240 mg USP′274-5 mg (Treatment A) (Treatment B) Parameter (units) Mean % CV Mean % CV Cmax (ng/mL) 1.79 35.8 2.23 34.8 Tmax (hr) 6.78 57.3 5.10 52.5 3-OH DL Example 2- Example 11 of D-24 5 mg/240 mg USP′274-5 mg (Treatment A) (Treatment B) Parameter (units) Mean % CV Mean % CV Cmax (ng/mL) 0.695 59.4 0.832 55.2 Tmax (hr) 6.09^(b) 32.7 4.96^(b) 31.4 ^(a)% CV is percent coefficient of variation, which is a relative measure of variability. See Steele and Torrie, “Principles and Procedures of Statistics”, (1980) 2^(nd) Edition, McGraw-Hill, NY, at page 27. ^(b)n = 35

The mean 3-OH DL Cmax following administration of 5 mgDL/240 mgPES tablet of Example 2 of this application and a 5 mg desloratadine tablet of Example 11 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,274 were 0.695 and 0.832 ng/mL, respectively, and were reached at mean Tmax values of 6.09 and 4.96 hours, respectively. The peak plasma concentration of 3-OH DL decreased slowly with half-life of 29.6 hours following administration of 5 mgDL/240 mgPES tablet of Example 2 of this application, and 29.5 hours following administration of the 5 mg DL tablet of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,274.

Statistical comparisons of Cmax and AUC(tf) following administration of tablet of Example 2 of this application and 5 mg desloratadine tablet of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,274 were performed for DK and 3-OH DL plasma concentrations.

The results showed that the 90% confidence intervals for DL and 3-OH DL did not meet the 80–125% bioequivalence guidelines for both Cmax and AUC(tf). For those subjects where AUC(I) could be determined, the confidence intervals of DL for AUC(I) did not meet the 80–125 bioequivancy guidelines. However, the confidence intervals of 3-OH DL for AUC(I) did meet the 80–125 bioequivances guidelines.

The mean pharmacokinetic parameters of pseudoephedrine are provided in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Mean (% CV^(a)) Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Pseudoephedrine in Healthy Subjects Following Single-Dose Oral Administration of DL D-24 and 240 mg Pseudoephedrine Sulphate (Oval Extended- Release Pseudoephedrine Cores from Claritin ® D-24 Coated with Placebo Claritin ® D-24 Coat) Tablets (n = 36) Pseudoephedrine Pseudoephedrine Sulphate (Oval- Extended Release 5 mg/240 mg Tablet Pseudoephedrine of Example 2 Cores from of this application Claritin D-24) Mean % CV Mean % CV Cmax (ng/mL) 328  25 349 18.1 Tmax (hr) 8.42  34 7.36 36.3 AUC (tf) (ng-hr/mL) 6438  42 6225 38.5 tf (hr) 44.0  37 40.0 25.8 AUC (l) (ng-hr/mL) 6780  40 6452 37.3 t½ (hr) 10.3 148 7.25 21.6 ^(a)% CV is percent coefficient of variation, which is a relative measure of variability. See Steele and Torrie, “Principles and Procedures of Statistics”, (1980) 2^(nd) Edition, McGraw-Hill, NY, at page 27.

The mean pseudoephedriine Cmax following administration of the (5 mg DL/240 mgPES) tablet of Example 2 or a 240 mg pseudoephedrine sulphate extended-release core were 328 and 349 ng/mL, respectively. Statistical comparisons of Cmax and AUC(tf) values for DL D-24 (5 mg/240 mg) versus 240 mg pseudoephedrine sulphate (extended-release core) were performed. The power to detect a 20% difference in treatment means at an α-level of 0.05 (two-tailed) for the log-transformed Cmax and AUC(tf) were 100 and 93%, respectively.

The 90% confidence intervals for pseudoephedrine met the 80–125% bioequivalence guidelines for both Cmax and AUC(tf). For those subjects were AUC(I) could be determined, the confidence intervals for AUC(I) also met the 80–125 guidelines.

Pharmacokinetic Study No. 2

Subjects were confined at the study site at least 12 hours prior to each treatment (Day—1). In the morning of Day 1, following a ten-hour overnight fast, each subject received one of the following treatments based on his/her subject number and the study period:

-   Treatment A: One (5 mg DL/240 mgPES) tablet of Example 2 of this     application -   Treatment B: One (6 mgDL/240 mgPES) tablet of Example 3 of this     application -   Treatment C: One 5 mg DL tablet of Example 11 of U.S. Pat. No. '274     plus one 120 mg PES tablet (oval extended-release pseudoephedrine     core)

The study procedures, blood collection times and the analytical methodologies summarized in Study No. 1 were employed.

The mean pharmacokinetic parameters are shown in Table 3. The power to detect a 20% difference in treatment means of DL at an α-level of 0.05 (two tailed) for the log-transformed AUC(tf), AUC(I), and Cmax values were 89%, 90% and 88% respectively.

TABLE 3 Mean (% CV¹) Pharmacokinetic Parameters of DL, 3-OH DL and Pseudoephedrine in Healthy Adult Volunteers (n = 42) Following Single-Dose Oral Administration of DI Tablets of Examples 2 (5 mg DL/240 mgPES), Example 3 (6 mg DL/240 mg PES) or a 5 mg DL Tablet of USP′274 Plus One 240 mg PES Tablet. Treatment Cmax (ng/mL) % CV Tmax (hr)/ % CV DL A²  1.91 44 4.69 52 B³  2.35 43 4.33 50 C⁴  2.28 40 3.87 67 3-OH DL A²  0.77 28 6.67 52 B³  1.00 39 6.12 48 C⁴  0.93 31 5.68 58 Pseudoephedrine A² 353   30 7.71 45 B³ 362   28 8.14 46 C⁴ 349   22 8.31 47 ¹% CV is percent coefficient of variation, which is a relative measure of variability. See Steele and Torrie, “Principles and Procedures of Statistics”, (1980) 2^(nd) Edition, McGraw-Hill, NY, at page 27. ²Treatment A = One (5 mg/240 mg) tablet of Example 2. ³Treatment B = One (6 mg/240 mg) tablet of Example 3. ⁴Treatment C = One 5 mg DL tablet of Example II of USP 6,100,274 plus one 240 mg pseudoephedrine tablet.

The results show that, based on plasma 3-OH DL concentrations, the (5 mg/240 mg) of Example 2 is not equivalent to the 5 mg DL tablet of Example 11 of U.S. Pat. No. '274 and that the 6 mgDL/240 PESmg of Example 3 and 5 mg DL tablet of Example II of U.S. Pat. No. ',274 are bioequivalent.

The results show that, the bioequivalence of pseudoephedrine from the formulations of Examples 2 & 3 was established relative to the reference product.

Pharmacokinetic Study No. 3

Forty health volunteers were enrolled in this open label, randomized, three-way cross-over, single-dose study. The subjects were randomized to receive, following a ten hour over-night fast:

Treatment A: 5 mg DL/240 mg PES of Example 4 of this appln Treatment B: DL 5 mg of Example 11 of USP ′274 Plus 240 mg PES

The procedures of Study No. 1 were followed using the above-listed treatments.

The mean pharmacokinetic parameters for DL, 3-OH DL and pseudoephedrine are provided in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Mean (% CV¹) Pharmacokiinetic Parameters of DL, 3-OH DL and Pseudoephedrine in Healthy Adult Volunteers (n = 40) Following Single-Dose Oral Administration of One 5 mg D-24 Tablet of Example 4 or One 5 mg DL Tablet of USP′274 Plus One 240 mg Pseudoephedrine Sulfate Tablet Treatment Cmax (ng/mL) % CV Tmax (hr) % CV DL A²  2.15 41 4.13 66 B³  2.30 44 4.83 62 3-OH DL A²  0.89 48 5.60 42 B²  1.07 36 6.10 37 Pseudoephedrine A² 382   34 7.83 29 B² 399   32 8.43 36 ¹% CV is percent coefficient of variation, which is a relative measure of variability. See Steele and Torrie, “Principles and Procedures of Statistics”, (1980) 2^(nd) Edition, McGraw-Hill, NY, at page 27. ²Treatment A = One (5 mgDL/240 mgPES) tablet of Example 4 of application. ³Treatment B = One 5 mg DL tablet of Example 11 of USP 6,100,274 plus one 240 mg pseudoephedrine tablet.

Pharmacokinetic Study No. 4

The pharmacokinetic objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of desloratadine (DL), 3-OH DL and pseudoephedrine(PES) following daily administration of the formulation of Example 5 (5 mg of DL/240 mg of PES) of this application for 14 consecutive days This study was a Phase I, open-label, multiple-dose study for 14 consecutive days. Eighteen healthy male and female subjects were enrolled and 17 completed the study; one discontinued. One 5 mg DL/240 mg PES tablet of Example 5. Was administered in the morning (approximately 8 AM)

The tablets were administered with 180 mL (6 fluid ounces) of non-carbonated room temperature water. The tablet was swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed. After dosing, the oral cavity was inspected to assure that the subject had swallowed the tablet. Subjects continued fasting until the four-hour study procedures were complete. Water was permitted throughout the fasting period, except for two hours post-dose. The subjects remained awake and seated upright/ambulatory for four hours post-dose. All subjects were confined to the study site until the 120-hour blood samples, vital signs and laboratory tests were obtained.

Serial blood samples (10 mL) were to be collected into tubes containing heparin as an anticoagulant at the following time points: 0 (pre-dose), 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours post-dose. No food was allowed for four hours after dosing. Drinking water was not allowed from one hour pre-dose to one hour postdose, except for the 120 mL administered with the treatment. Plasma concentrations of DL, 3-OH DL and pseudoephedrine were determined using a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method with a lower limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.025 ng/mL, 0.025 ng/mL, and 10.0 ng/mL, respectively. The The methods were validated over concentration range of 0.025 ng/mL—10.0–400 ng/mL for DL, 0.025 ng/mL—10.0–400 ng/mL for 3-OH DL, and 10.0–400 ng/mL for pseudoephedrine. The associated mean steady state pharmacokinetic parameters are provided in Tables 5 & 6.

TABLE 5 Mean (% CV^(a)) Steady State Pharmacokinetic Parameters of DL, 3-OH DL and Pseudoephedrine in Healthy Subjects Following Multiple- Dose Oral Administration of DL D-24 For 14 Consecutive Days AUC(0–24 h) Cmax(ng/mL) Tmax(hr) Cavg(ng/mL) (ng-hr/mL) Mean % CV Mean % CV Mean % CV Mean % CV DL 2.44 35 3.68 39 1.45 34 34.8 34 3-OH DL 1.56 20 4.65 26 1.07 21 25.7 21 Pseudoephedrine 523 27 6.65 21 366 29 8795 29 ^(a)% CV is percent coefficient of variation, which is a relative measure of variability. See Steele and Torrie, “Principles and Procedures of Statistics”, (1980) 2^(nd) Edition, McGraw-Hill, NY, at page 27. ^(b)n = 17

The mean steady state DL Cmax following daily administration of DL tablet of Example 5 of the present invention for 14 consecutive days was 2.44 ng/mL, and was reached at mean Tmax value of 3.68 hours. The mean steady state DL Cavg following administration of tablet was 1.45 ng/mL. The mean steady state AUC(0–24 h) following administration of the tablet was 34.8 ng.hr/mL. The mean 3-OH DL Cmax following administration of 5 mgDL/240 mgPES tablet of Example 5 of this application was 1.56 ng/mL, and was reached at mean Tmax value 4.65 hour. The mean steady state 3-OH DL Cavg was 1.07 ng/mL. The mean steady state AUC(0–24 h) following administration of the tablet was 25.7 ng.hr/mL.

For the solid oral dosage formulations of the present invention, the geometric mean maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine (PES) is about 382 ng/mL to about 664 ng/mL at a time (Tmax) of about 5.25 hours to about 7.99 hours; preferably, about 418 ng/mL to about 628 ng/mL at a time (Tmax) of about 5.32 hours to about 7.98, and a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0–24 hours for pseudoephedrine was about 6244 ng hr/mL to about 11346 ng hr/mL, preferably, was about 7030 ng hr/mL to about 10554 ng/mL, after administration of a multiple dose of said composition to healthy subjects for at least 10 consecutive days (steady state attained after 10, days data measured over the 14 days), and the geometric mean maximum plasma concentrate of desloratadine (DL) is about 1.59 ng/mL to about 3.39 ng/mL at a time (Tmax) of about 2.24 hours to about 5.12, preferably, 1.95 ng/mL to about 2.93 ng/mL at a time (Tmax), of about 2.94 hours to about 4.42 hours, and a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0–24 hours for desloratadine was about 23.0 ng hr/mL to about 46.6 ng hr/mL, preferably, was about 27.8 ng hr/mL to about 41.8 ng hr/mL,after administration of a multiple dose of said composition to healthy subjects for at least 12 consecutive days (steady state attained after 12 days data measured over the 14 days), and the geometric mean maximum plasma concentrate of 3-hydroxydesloratadine (3-OH-DL) is about 1.25 ng/mL to about 1.87 ng/mL at a time (Tmax) of about 3.44 hours to about 5.86 hours, and a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0–24 hours for 3-hydroxy-desloratadine was about 20.3 ng hr/mL to about 3.11 ng hr/mL after administration of a multiple dose of said composition to healthy subjects for at least 12 consecutive days (steady state attained after 12 days, data measured over the 14 days).

The mean trough concentrations of DL, 3-OH DL, and of pseudoephedrine are provided in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Mean (% CV^(a)) Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Pseudoephedrine in Healthy Subjects Following Multiple-Dose Oral Administration of DL D-24 (n = 17) For 14 Consecutive Days Cmin (ng/ml) Percent Fluctuation Mean % CV Mean % CV DL)  0.788 39 115   14 3-OH DL  0.689 27  82.9 18 Pseudoephedrine 161    51 102   22 ^(a)% CV is percent coefficient of variation, which is a relative measure of variability. See Steele and Torrie, “Principles and Procedures of Statistics”, (1980) 2^(nd) Edition, McGraw-Hill, NY, at page 27.

The steady state conditions for DL and 3-OH DL were attained on Day 12 following daily administration of DL as indicated by a lack of a statistically significant difference (p>0.301) in the mean trough plasma concentrations of DL between mean trough plasma concentration of DL Day and that on Day 14. The steady state mean trough plasma concentration for pseudoephedrine was attained on Day 10.

For the solid oral dosage formulations of the present invention, the geometric mean minimum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine (PES) is about 82 ng/mL to about 243 ng/mL, and preferably, about 129 ng/mL to about 193 ng/mL after administration of a multiple dose of said composition to healthy subjects for at least 10 consecutive days (steady state attained after 10 days,data measured over the 14 days), and the geometric mean minimum plasma concentrate of desloratadine (DL) is about 0.307 ng/mL to about 1.095 ng/mL, preferably, 0.624 ng/mL to about 0.946 ng/mL, after administration of a multiple dose of said composition to healthy subjects for at least 12 consecutive days (steady state attained after 12 days, data measured over the 14 days), and the geometric mean minimum plasma concentrate of 3-hydroxydesloratadine (3-OH-DL) is about 0.503 ng/mL to about 0.875 ng/mL, and preferably about 0.551 ng/mL to about 0.827 ng/mL after administration of a multiple dose of said composition to healthy subjects for at least 12 consecutive days (steady state attained after 12 days, data measured over the 14 days).

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates preparation of the preferred oral dosage composition of this invention. The ingredients and specific amounts thereof are listed below.

1. Matrix Core

A. Method of Manufacture:

-   -   1. Dissolve povidone in a mixture of 3 parts of alcohol and 1         part of purified water.     -   2. Combine the pseudoephedrine sulfate, hydroxypropyl         methylcellulose 2208, ethylcellulose and dibasic calcium         phosphate, dihydrate in a suitable mixing bowl and blend under a         nitrogen overlay.     -   3. Granulate the blend from Step 2 with the solution from         Step. 1. pass the wet granulation through suitable milling         equipment to breakup large lumps.     -   4. Dry the wet granulation at about 70° C. in a suitable fluid         bed processor to a loss on drying between 0.5 to 2.0% as         determined by a moisture balance or equivalent.     -   5. Pass the dried granules through suitable milling equipment.     -   6. Add the requisite amounts of silicon dioxide and magnesium         stearate to the dried, milled granules and blend.     -   7. Compress the blend on a suitable tablet press.         The matrix cores are coated in the following manners:         A. Preparation of Coating Dispersions and Solutions         1. First Film Coating Solution     -   (1) Disperse Simethicone and polyethylene glycol 8000 in a         portion of purified water and agitate until completely         dissolved.     -   (2) To the product of step 1, add the remainder of the purified         water and the talc; stir the so-formed suspension at room         temperature until homogeneous.     -   (3) Slowly add the so-formed homogeneous suspension of step 2 to         the stirred EUDRAGIT NE30D dispersion and continue to mix the         so-formed mixture until a homogeneous dispersion is formed. Pass         the dispersion through a screen.     -   (4) Spray the dispersion onto the matrix cores maintained at 40°         C.±5° C. on a rotating pan.     -   (5) Dry the cooled matrix cores on the rotating pan.         2. Second Film Coating Dispersion     -   (1) Disperse the Simethicone and polyethylene glycol 8000 in a         portion of purified water. Add additional water and stir the         dispersion at room temperature until completely dissolved.     -   (2) Slowly add desloratadine to the dispersion of step 1 and mix         until a uniform dispersion is formed. Combine with the talc with         the so-formed uniform dispersion, and continue agitation until a         homogenous suspension is formed.     -   (3) Add dispersion of step 2 to the EUDRAGIT NE 30D dispersion         and mix until a uniform dispersion is formed. Pass the         dispersion through a screen.     -   (4) Spray the requisite amount of the dispersion from step 3         onto the matrix core with the first coating in a rotating pan at         25–27° C.     -   (5) Dry the coated matrix cores on the rotating pan.         3. The Third Film Coating Solution     -   (1) Add the hydroypropyl methylcellulose 2910 to hot purified         water (75° C.) and agitate until a solution forms. Cool the         so-formed solution to room temperature.     -   (2) To a separate container, add Simethicone and polyethylene         glycol 8000 to purified water and continue to mix until a         solution is formed.     -   (3) Add talc to solution of step 2 and continue to mix until a         uniform dispersion is formed.     -   (4) Add the solution of step 1 to the dispersion of step 3 and         continue to mix until     -   (5) Add FD&C Blue No. 2 aluminum lake containing EDTA as a         chelating agent to purified water in a third container and     -   (6) Add the Blue lake solution of step 5 to the dispersion of         step 4 and mix until a homogeneous mixture is formed.     -   (7) Slowly add the mixture of step 6 to a dispersion of EUDRAG         IT NE30D and continue to mix until homogeneous.     -   (8) Pass dispersion of step 6 through 60 mesh screen.     -   (9) Spray the requisite amount of the dispersion of step 8 onto         the twice-coated matrix cores in a rotating pan at 35°–45° C.         Dry the thrice-coated matrix cores in the form of tablets in         rotating pan.     -   (10) Remove the so-formed tablets from pan and further dry at         40° for 16 hours.

EXAMPLE 2

The following more preferred composition of the present invention was made in accordance with the above procedure of Example 1.

1. Matrix Core Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 USP 320 100,000 cps Ethylcellulose NF Type 7 80 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate USP Dihydrate 108 Povidone USP 40 Silicon Dioxide NF 8 Magnesium Stearate NF 4 Approximate Matrix Core Weight: 800 mg 2. Matrix Core Coatings 1. First Film Coating: Ingredient mg/tablet Simethicone 0.22 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.27 Talc NF 2.72 Ethyl Acrytalc/Methyl Methacrylate neutral copolymer 2.72 (30% dispersion in water) Subtotal for first coating 5.93 mg 3. Second Film (Immediate Release) Coating mg/tablet Desloratadine 5.0 Simethicone 0.28 Polyethylene glycol 8000 1.83 Talc NF 7.00 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl methacrylate neutral copolymer 6.09 Subtotal for second coating 20.20 mg 4. Third Film Coating mg/tablet Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 2.09 Talc NF 5.79 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate Neutral 4.18 copolymer Polyethylene Glycol 8000 NF 0.42 Simethicone 0.11 Spectra Spray Med Blue Dye 3.65 Subtotal for third coating: 16.24 mg Approximate Total of Three Coatings Weight: 42.37 mg Approximate Tablet (MatrixCore & Three Coatings) 842.97 mg Weight:

The in vitro dissolution profile of the tablet of Example 1 was measured in a stirred 0.1N HCl solution at 37° C. (1^(st) hour) and thereafter in a stirred phosphate buffer having a pH of 7.5 at 37° C. The 80% of desloratadine in the coating was dissolved within the first 45 minutes and the total dose of pseudoephedrine sulfate in the matrix core was slowly released via erosion and dissolution mechanisms over a period of at least 16 hours.

EXAMPLE 3

The following more preferred composition of the present invention was made in accordance with the above procedure of Example 1.

1. Matrix Core Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 USP 320 100,000 cps Ethylcellulose NF Type 7 80 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate USP Dihydrate 108 Povidone USP 40 Silicon Dioxide NF 8 Magnesium Stearate NF 4 Approximate Matrix Core Weight: 800 mg 2. Matrix Core Coatings 1. First Film Coating: Ingredient mg/tablet Simethicone 0.22 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.27 Talc NF 2.72 Ethyl Acrytalc/Methyl Methacrylate neutral copolymer 2.72 (30% dispersion in water) Subtotal for first coating 5.93 mg Second Film (Immediate Release) Coating mg/tablet Desloratadine 6.0 Simethicone 0.28 Polyethylene glycol 8000 1.83 Talc NF 5.88 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl methacrylate neutral copolymer 6.09 Subtotal for second coating 20.08 mg 3. Third Film Coating mg/tablet Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 2.09 Talc NF 5.79 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate Neutral 4.18 copolymer Polyethylene Glycol 8000 NF 0.42 Simethicone 0.11 Spectra Spray Med Blue Dye 3.65 Subtotal for third coating 16.24 Approximate Total of Three Coatings Weight: 42.37 mg Approximate Tablet (MatrixCore and Three Coatings) 842.97 mg Weight:

EXAMPLE 4

The following more preferred composition of the present invention was made in accordance with the above procedure of Example 1.

1. Matrix Core Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 USP 320 100,000 cps Ethylcellulose NF Type 7 80 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate USP Dihydrate 108 Povidone USP 40 Silicon Dioxide NF 8 Magnesium Stearate NF 4 Approximate Matrix Core Weight: 800 mg Matrix Core Coatings 2. Matrix Core Coatings 1. First Film Coating: Ingredient mg/tablet Simethicone 0.22 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.27 Talc NF 2.72 Ethyl Acrytalc/Methyl Methacrylate neutral copolymer 2.72 (30% dispersion in water) Subtotal for first coating 5.93 mg 2. Second Film (Immediate Release) Coating mg/tablet Desloratadine 5.0 Simethicone 0.28 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.61 Talc NF 5.17 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl methacrylate neutral copolymer 6.09 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 3.05 Subtotal for second coating 20.20 mg 3. Third Film Coating mg/tablet Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 2.09 Talc NF 5.79 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate Neutral 4.18 copolymer Polyethylene Glycol 8000 NF 0.42 Simethicone 0.11 Spectra Spray Med Blue Dye 3.65 Subtotal for third coating 16.24 mg Approximate Total of Three Coatings Weight: 42.37 mg Approximate Tablet (MatrixCore and Three Coatings) 842.37 mg Weight:

EXAMPLE 5

The following more preferred composition of the present invention was made in accordance with the above procedure of Example 1. The formulation of Example 4 was used except in the second film desloratadine layer the amount of polyethylene glycol 8000 was increased to 1.83 mg and the amount of talc was increased to 7.00 and no HPMC 2910 USP 6 cps was added.

1. Matrix Core Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP 240 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208 USP 320 100,000 cps Ethylcellulose NF Type 7 80 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate USP Dihydrate 108 Povidone USP 40 Silicon Dioxide NF 8 Magnesium Stearate NF 4 Approximate Matrix Core Weight: 800 mg Matrix Core Coatings 2. Matrix Core Coatings 1. First Film Coating: Ingredient mg/tablet Simethicone 0.22 Polyethylene glycol 8000 0.27 Talc NF 2.72 Ethyl Acrytalc/Methyl Methacrylate neutral copolymer 2.72 (30% dispersion in water) Subtotal for first coating 5.93 mg 2. Second Film (Immediate Release) Coating mg/tablet Desloratadine 5.0 Simethicone 0.28 Polyethylene glycol 8000 1.83 Talc NF 7.00 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl methacrylate neutral copolymer 6.09 (30% dispersion in water) Subtotal for second coating 20.20 mg 3. Third Film Coating mg/tablet Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2910 USP 6 cps 2.09 Talc NF 5.79 Ethyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate Neutral 4.18 copolymer (30% dispersion in water) Polyethylene Glycol 8000 NF 0.42 Simethicone 0.11 Spectra Spray Med Blue Dye 3.65 Subtotal for third coating 16.24 mg Approximate Total of Three Coatings Weight: 42.37 mg Approximate Tablet (MatrixCore and Three Coatings) 842.37 mg Weight:

The total desloratadine degradation products in the film-coated extended release solid oral dosage composition of Example 5 was 0.8 weight percent after storage of the compositions at 25 C and 60% relative humidity for at least about 24 months. The major desloratadine degradation products are (1) N-methyl-desloratadine which was present at a level of about 0.3 weight percent, and (2) N-formyldesloratadine which was present at a level of about 0.4 weight percent.

Similar results would be expected if a decongestant effective amount of another pharmaceutically acceptable pseudoephedrine salt, e.g., pseudoephedrine hydrogen chloride was used in place of pseudoephedrine sulfate.

The compositions of the present invention are useful for treatment of allergic and/or inflammatory conditions of the skin (e.g. urticaria) and the upper and lower airway passages including the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis including nasal congestion in patients in need of such treating. The precise dosage and dosage regimen may be varied by the attending clinician in view of the teachings herein depending upon the requirements of the patient, e.g., the patient's age, sex and the severity of the allergic and/or inflammatory condition being treated. Determination of the proper dosage and dosage regimen for a particular patient will be within the skill of the attending clinician.

While we have hereinabove presented a number of preferred embodiments of this invention by way of example, it is apparent that the scope of the invention is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

The in vitro dissolution profile of the tablets of Examples 1–5 were measured in a stirred 0.1N HCl solution at 37° C. (1^(st) hour) and thereafter in a stirred phosphate buffer having a pH of 7.5 at 37° C. For Example 5, The 91% of desloratadine in the immediate release layer was dissolved within the first 30 minutes, 94% in 45 minutes and 95% of desloratadine was dissolved within 1 hr and the 92–95% of the pseudoephedrine sulfate in the sustained release layer was slowly released via erosion and dissolution mechanisms over a period of at least 16 hours (with 20% in 1 hr, 33% in 2 hrs. and 71% in 8 hrs, 79% in 10 hrs, and 92–95% in 16 hrs).

Similar results would be expected if a decongestant effective amount of another pharmaceutically acceptable pseudoephedrine salt, e.g., pseudoephedrine hydrochloride was used in place of pseudoephedrine sulfate. 

1. An extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising an effective amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, (b) a first coating covering the core and comprising a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester, a film modifier and a lubricant, and (c) a second coating covering the first coating and comprising an effective amount of desloratadine, wherein the amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine of about 345 ng/mL to about 365 ng/mL at a time of about 7.60 hours to about 8.40 hrs, and the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.10 ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about 4.5 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition.
 2. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxydesloratadine of about 0.75 ng/mL to about 1.15 ng/mL at a time of about 5.50 hours to about 6.25 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition.
 3. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 1 wherein the core is a matrix core and wherein the first coating uniformly covers the matrix core and the second coating uniformly covers the first coating.
 4. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 3 wherein (a) the first coating comprises (1) a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic co-polymeric ester; (2) a lubricant; (3) a film-modifier; and (4) optionally, an anti-foaming agent; and wherein (b) the second coating comprises: (1) an effective amount of desloratadine sufficient to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.10 ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about 4.5 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition; (2) a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic co-polymeric ester; (3) a lubricant; (4) a water soluble film-modifier; and (5) optionally, an anti-foaming agent.
 5. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 4 wherein the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxydesloratadine of about 0.75 ng/mL to about 1.15 ng/mL at a time of about 5.50 hours to about 6.25 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition.
 6. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 4 which further comprises a third coating covering the second coating, said third coating comprising: (1) a pharmaceutically acceptable dye; (2) a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester; (3) a lubricant; (4) at least one water soluble film-modifier; and (5) optionally, an anti-foaming agent.
 7. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 6 wherein the water-soluble film-modifier is a low viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or a polyethylene glycol selected from polyethylene glycol 200 to a polyethylene glycol 8000, or mixtures thereof.
 8. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 4 wherein the matrix core comprises a water-insoluble calcium, magnesium or aluminum salt, wherein the water-insoluble calcium, magnesium or aluminum salt is a carbonate, phosphate, silicate or sulfate of calcium, magnesium or aluminum or mixtures thereof.
 9. An extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising about 240 mg of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, (b) a first coating covering the core and comprising a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester, a film modifier and a lubricant, and (c) a second coating covering the first coating and comprising about 5 mg of desloratadine wherein total desloratadine degradation products in the extended release oral dosage composition is less than or equal to about 2.0% by weight.
 10. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 9 wherein the total desloratadine degradation products comprise less than or about 0.3 to about 0.4% by weight of N-methyldesloratadine, and less than or about 0.4 to about 0.5% by weight of N-formyldesloratadine.
 11. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 9 wherein total desloratadine degradation products in the extended release oral dosage composition comprise less than or about 0.8 to about 1.0 weight percent of the composition.
 12. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 9 wherein total pseudoephedrine degradation products in the extended release oral dosage composition comprise less than about 0.5 weight percent to no more than about 1.1 weight percent of the composition.
 13. The extended release oral dosage composition of claim 1 wherein the matrix core comprises: Ingredient mg/core Pseudoephedrine Sulfate about 120 to about 360 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 2208, about 160 to about 480 100,000 cps Ethylcellulose about 40 to about 120 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Dihydrate about 56 to about 162 Povidone about 20 to about 60 Silicon Dioxide about 6 to about 12 Magnesium Stearate about 2 to about
 6.


14. The extended release oral dosage composition of claim 4 wherein the first film coating comprises: (1) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate; (2) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon, polyethylene glycol 200 to polyethylene glycol 8000; (3) a polyethylene glycol selected from polyethylene glycol 200 to polyethylene glycol 8000; and (4) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of homologous liquid methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel.
 15. The extended release oral dosage composition of claim 4 wherein the second film coating comprises: (1) an amount of desloratadine effective to produce a geometric maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 2.10 ng/mL to about 2.45 ng/mL at a time of about 4.0 hours to about 4.5 hours after administration of a single dose of said composition; (2) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate; (3) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate; (4) a polyethylene glycol selected from polyethylene glycol 200 to a polyethylene glycol 8000; and (5) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of homologous liquid methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel.
 16. The extended release oral dosage composition of claim 6 wherein the third coating comprises: (1) a neutral copolymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate; (2) a lubricant selected from talc, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate; (3) an effective amount of a water-soluble film-modifying agent is a low viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, or a polyethylene glycol selected from polyethylene glycol 200 to a polyethylene glycol 8000, or mixtures thereof; (4) a pharmaceutically acceptable dye; and (5) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of homologous liquid methyl siloxane polymers and silica gel.
 17. An extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising about 240 mg of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) a first coating comprising a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester, a film modifier and a lubricant covering the core; and (c) a second coating covering the first coating comprising about 5 mg of desloratadine; wherein more than about 90% of the desloratadine in solid oral dosage composition dissolves into a stirred 0.1N HCl solution at 37° C. in about 45 minutes, and more than about 90% of the pseudoephedrine sulfate in solid oral dosage composition dissolves into a stirred 0.1 N HCl solution at 37° C. (1^(st) hour) and thereafter in a stirred phosphate buffer having a pH of 7.5 at 37° C. over 16 hours.
 18. An extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising an effective amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, (b) a first coating covering the core and comprising a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester, a film modifier and a lubricant, and (c) a second coating covering the first coating and comprising an effective amount of desloratadine wherein the amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine of about 382 ng/mL to about 664 ng/mL at a time of about 5.25 hrs to about 7.99 hrs after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days and the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 1.59 ng/mL to about 3.39 ng/mL at a time of about 2.24 hours to about 5.12 hours after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.
 19. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 18 wherein the geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine is about 418 ng/mL to about 628 ng/mL at a time of about 5.32 hrs to about 7.98 hrs after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days and the geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of desloratadine is about 1.95 ng/mL to about 2.93 ng/mL at a time of about 2.94 hours to about 4.42 hours after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.
 20. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 18 wherein the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state maximum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxy-desloratadine of about 1.25 ng/mL to about 1.87 ng/mL at a time of about 3.44 hours to about 5.86 hours and a geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0–24 hours for 3-hydroxy-desloratadine was about 20.3 ng hr/mL to about 3.11 ng hr/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.
 21. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 18 wherein the geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for desloratadine was about 23.0 ng hr/mL to about 46.6 ng hr/mL.
 22. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 18 wherein the geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for desloratadine was about 27.8 ng hr/mL to about 41.8 ng hr/mL.
 23. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 18 wherein the geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for pseudoephedrine was about 6244 ng hr/mL to about 11346 ng hr/mL.
 24. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 18 wherein the geometric mean steady state value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours for psudoephedrine was about 7030 ng hr/mL to about 10554 ng hr/mL.
 25. An extended release solid oral dosage composition comprising (a) a core comprising an effective amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, (b) a first coating covering the core and comprising a water-swellable film-forming neutral or cationic copolymeric ester, a film modifier and a lubricant, and (c) a second coating covering the the first coating and comprising an effective amount of desloratadine, wherein the amount of pseudoephedrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine of about 82 ng/mL to about 243 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days and the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of desloratadine of about 0.307 ng/mL to about 1.095 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.
 26. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 25 wherein the geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of pseudoephedrine is about 129 ng/mL to about 193 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 10 consecutive days and the geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of desloratadine is about 0.624 ng/mL to about 0.946 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.
 27. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 25 wherein the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxy-desloratadine of about 0.503 ng/mL to about 0.875 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.
 28. The extended release solid oral dosage composition of claim 25 wherein the amount of desloratadine is effective to produce a geometric mean steady state minimum plasma concentration of 3-hydroxy-desloratadine of about 0.551 ng/mL to about 0.827 ng/mL after administration of a daily dose of said composition for at least about 12 consecutive days.
 29. A method of treating allergic and inflammatory conditions of the upper and lower airway passages and skin which comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of the extended release solid composition of claim
 1. 30. A method of treating nasal congestion associated with allergic and inflammatory conditions of the upper and lower airway passages and skin which comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of the extended release solid composition of claim
 1. 31. A method of treating urticaria which comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of the extended release solid composition of claim
 1. 32. A method of treating the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis which comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of the extended release solid composition of claim
 1. 